TLSO/LSO spine brace

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides a brace for supporting a spine of a patient. The brace includes an anterior panel, a posterior panel, lateral panels bridging between the anterior panel and the posterior panel, and an adjustable belt tightenable around the anterior panel, the brace selectively configurable to include either lateral panels attachable to the posterior, a posterior thoracic extension attachable to the posterior panel or a dorsal lumbar extension attachable to the posterior panel.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to braces for the spine. More particularly, the disclosure relates to improved lumbar-sacral orthosis and thoracic-lumbar-sacral orthosis for supporting a patient's back and spine that enables multiple configurations utilizing combinations of the same base components.

BACKGROUND

Improvement is desired in the design of braces for the spine. In particular what is desired is improvements in spinal braces and improved structures that are configurable for use as a Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis (LSO) and a Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis (TLSO).

SUMMARY

The disclosure advantageously provides a brace system that is configurable in multiple brace configurations for supporting a spine of a patient.

In one aspect, a brace according to the disclosure includes an anterior panel; a posterior panel, a pair of lateral panels bridging between the anterior panel and the posterior panel; and an adjustable belt tightenable around the anterior, posterior, and lateral panels. The brace is selectively configurable to include the pair of lateral panels attachable to the posterior, a posterior thoracic extension attachable to the posterior panel or a dorsal lumbar extension attachable to the posterior panel.

In another aspect, a brace system according to the disclosure includes removable lateral panels, an adjustable waist belt, a removable anterior panel, a sternal pad removably attachable to and adjustable in height relative to the anterior panel, and a posterior panel having a removable posterior thoracic extension, and a removable dorsal lumbar extension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing components of a brace for the spine according to the disclosure.

FIGS. 2-4 show the brace configured in three different configurations according to the disclosure. FIG. 2 shows the brace configured as a Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis with a sternal pad (TLSO-S); FIG. 3 shows the brace configured as a Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis (LSO); and FIG. 4 shows the brace configured as a Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis with a dorsal lumbar extension (TLSO-D).

FIGS. 5A-5D are detailed views of height adjustment structure for adjusting the height of a sternal pad component of the brace system.

FIGS. 6A-6C are detailed views of a posterior thoracic extension component of the brace system.

FIGS. 7A-7C are detailed views of a dorsal lumbar extension component of the brace system.

FIGS. 8A-8D show the brace in the TLSO-S configuration.

FIGS. 9A-9D show conversion of the brace from the TLSO-S configuration to the LSO configuration.

FIGS. 10A-10C show the brace in the LSO configuration.

FIGS. 11A-11B show conversion of the brace from the LSO configuration to the TLSO-D configuration.

FIGS. 12A-12C show the brace in the TLSO-D configuration.

FIGS. 13A-13D show structures for adjusting the length of a belt component of the brace system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, the disclosure provides a spinal brace system 10 of improved construction and configured to provide multiple configurations of spinal braces. In particular, the spinal braces provided by the spinal brace system 10 are configurable to be used as a Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis (LSO) and two different Thoracic-Lumbar-Sacral Orthosis (TLSO) configurations, one having a sternal pad (TLSO-S) and the other having a dorsal lumbar extension (TLSO-D).

The spinal braces according to the disclosure are particularly configured to provide support and immobilization in the sagittal, coronal and/or transverse planes to aid in the relief and recovery from postoperative fusion, postoperative laminectomy, postoperative discectomy, compression fractures, degenerative disc disease, osteoporosis, chronic low back pain, spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis, spinal stenosis, spinal osteoarthritis, and facet syndrome.

With initial reference to FIG. 1 , the spinal brace system 10 includes components that may be selectively utilized in various combinations to provide the desired brace configuration most optimal for the patient's injury. For example, as shown, the spinal brace system 10 includes as selectable components: trimmable lateral panels 20, an adjustable belt 30, an anterior panel 40 having a sternal pad kit (SPK) 50, and a posterior panel 60 having a removable posterior thoracic extension (PTE) 70, and a removable dorsal lumbar extension (DLE) 80.

The lateral panels 20, the posterior panel 60 and the posterior thoracic extension 70 are made of injection molded plastic and compressed foam. Thus, in combination with the adjustable belt 30, when a brace according to the disclosure is applied about the patient will compress around the midsection of the patient to offer stabilization to the spinal column.

By selective use of the components 20-80, the spinal brace system 10 is convertible between three different spinal brace configurations. A TLSO-S spinal brace configuration 10 a is shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 8A-8D. An LSO spinal brace configuration 10 b is shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 9D and 10A-10C. A TLSO-D spinal brace configuration 10 c is shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 11B and 12A-12B.

As discussed in detail below, FIGS. 9A-9D show conversion from the TLSO-S configuration to the LSO configuration. FIGS. 11A-11B show conversion from the LSO configuration to the TLSO-D configuration.

Returning to FIG. 1 , the trimmable lateral panels 20 have panel segments 20 a, 20 b, 20 c and 20 d joined by trim guides 22. The trim guides 22 are configured as thin demarcations between the panel segments that are easy to cut and follow during cutting. A hook/loop material 24 may be provided on the proximal ends of the panels 20 for releasable attachment of the lateral panels 20 to the posterior panel 60.

As best seen in FIG. 13D, the adjustable belt 30 has cable tensioners 32, such as cable reels available under the name BOA from Boa Technology, Inc. of Denver, Colo. The cable tensioners 32 facilitate snug fitting of the belt once the desired length of the belt is achieved.

To adjust the length of the belt 30, an adjustment plate 34 is provided having spaced apart belt passage slits through which the belt 30 is passed and belt engagement members 36 that are pivotally adjustable relative to the plate to engage or disengage the belt 30. The belt engagement members 36 are engaged with the belt to maintain a desired length of the brace, and are disengaged from the belt to permit adjustment of the length of the brace. A soft fabric plate cover 34 a is attached to the back of the plate 34 and the belt 30 as by mating hook/loop material. An exemplary adjustment plate 34 may be provided by the adjustment plate structure described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,143,582 entitled ADJUSTABLE BACK BRACE, assigned to DeRoyal Industries, Inc. and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The belt 30 also has belt ends 38. The ends 38 may be of fixed position or may be removable and adjustably positionable as by hook/loop materials at the ends of the belts 30. By positioning the ends 38 as desired, the belt 30 may be further custom fit so as to be a desired length. Once the desired belt length is selected, a desired tension of the belt 30 is achieved by use of the cable tensioners 32. Also, a spanning segment may be utilized to span between the ends 38 if the girth of the patient is such that the ends 38 cannot be positioned to overlap. The spanning segment may be removably positionable to the ends 38 or the belt 30 as by hook/loop material.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5D the anterior panel 40 has an integrated adjustable mount 42 for adjustably mounting the sternal pad kit 50 onto the anterior panel 40. The mount 42 includes wedged levers 44 operatively associated with a retaining arm 46 having pins 46 a and located within a channel 48. An anterior panel cover 40 a provided by a soft loop material attaches to anterior panel 40 using hook material. The cover 40 a provides a surface that is soft and to which hook material associated with the belt 30 may adjustably attached.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 8D, the sternal pad kit 50 has a sternal plate 52 having a pad 52 a supported by an adjustment post 54 having adjustment apertures 54 a. The post 54 is received in the channel 48 of the adjustable mount 42 of the anterior panel 40. Shoulder straps 56 may be attached to the posterior of the brace as explained below.

Returning to FIGS. 5A-5D, to insert and adjust the height of the sternal pad 52, a user will pinch the wedged levers 44 and this motion will move the retaining arm 46 and pins 46 a out of position. An advantage of this design is that the wedged levers 44 will bottom out or run out of travel. Thus, the retaining arm 46 can only travel back so far, and will not enter permanent deformation. When the levers 44 are released the pin 46 a will be fully inserted through the apertures 54 a, making failure less likely to occur.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 6A, 7B and 13A, the posterior panel 60 is a rigid panel locatable at the posterior of a wearer of the brace adjacent the spine of the wearer. The posterior panel 60 includes a central flattened apex 62 configured for releasably receiving the posterior thoracic extension 70. The posterior panel 60 includes apertures 60 a, 60 b, and 60 c stacked along opposite sides thereof. As describe below, the apertures 60 a-60 c enable anchor points for adjustably anchoring straps associated with the dorsal lumbar extension 80. Likewise, the shoulder straps 56 of the sternal pad kit 50 may be adjustably anchored to the apertures 60 a-60 c.

With reference to FIGS. 6A-6C, the posterior thoracic extension 70 has a padded surface 70 a, central clips 72 and lateral oppositely facing elongate clips 74. The central clips 72 and elongate clips 74 cooperate with the flattened apex 62 for releasable mounting of the posterior thoracic extension 70 to the posterior panel 60.

The dorsal lumbar extension 80 creates a high degree of thoracic spine immobilization. With reference to FIGS. 7A-7C, the extension 80 includes an attachment arm 82 that secures to the back of the posterior panel 60 as by hook/loop material. The dorsal lumbar extension 80 also includes straps 84 that may be anchored in any of the apertures 60 a-60 c which serve as anchor points for the straps 84. The adjustable nature of these anchor points 60 a-60 c offer the clinician the ability to optimize the amount of motion restriction, and comfort of the brace to end user, and ease of donning and doffing the brace. The dorsal lumbar extension 80 also includes an internal rigid stay 86, preferably of plastic.

FIGS. 8A-8D show components of the brace system 10 configured to provide the TLSO-S spinal brace configuration 10 a, which includes the sternal pad kit 50, the anterior panel 40, the posterior panel 60, the posterior thoracic extension 70, and lateral panels 20. The brace configuration may be adjusted to match the patient's progression through recovery. For example, the sternal pad kit 52 may be removed from the TLSO-S spinal brace configuration 10 a to give the patient a larger range of motion.

FIGS. 9A-9D show conversion from the TLSO-S spinal brace configuration 10 a spinal brace to the LSO configuration 10 b. As depicted, the conversion steps include removal of the sternal pad kit 50 and the posterior thoracic extension 70, followed by removal of the lateral panels 20 and the anterior panel 40.

FIGS. 10A-10C show the LSO spinal brace configuration 10 b. As shown, it includes only the belt 30 and the posterior panel 60.

FIGS. 11A-11B show conversion from the LSO spinal brace configuration 10 b to the TLSO-D spinal brace configuration 10 c. As shown, this involves installation of the dorsal lumbar extension 80 onto the posterior panel 60.

FIGS. 12A-12C show the TLSO-D spinal brace configuration 10 c. As shown, it includes only the belt 30, the posterior panel 60, and the dorsal lumbar extension 80.

The brace system 10 therefore advantageously enables multiple configurations and each of these configurations enables for use as an inventory stock-keeping unit (SKU). For example, it has been discovered that the brace system 10 enables the use of only three different SKU's for configurations effective to treat over 90 percent of patient conditions. For example, the LSO spinal brace configuration 10 b may be selected for most L5-S1 pathologies, the TLSO-D 10 c spinal brace configuration may be selected for most T6-S1 pathologies, and the TLSO-S spinal brace configuration 10 a may be selected for most T6-S1 pathologies.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A brace for supporting a spine of a patient, the brace comprising: an anterior panel; a sternal pad having an adjustment post with adjustment apertures; and an adjustable mount integrated with the anterior panel for adjustably mounting the sternal pad onto the anterior panel, the adjustable mount including wedged levers operatively associated with a retaining arm having pins and located within a channel configured to receive the adjustment post of the sternal pad and the adjustment apertures.
 2. A brace, comprising: a brace panel; a pad having an adjustment post with adjustment apertures; and an adjustable mount integrated with the brace panel for adjustably mounting the pad onto the brace panel, the adjustable mount including wedged levers operatively associated with a retaining arm having pins and located within a channel configured to receive the adjustment post of the pad and the adjustment apertures. 